All's Well That Ends Well

Lafeu. No, no, no, your son was misled with a snipt-taffeta
2465fellow there, whose villanous saffron would have
made all the unbaked and doughy youth of a nation in
his colour: your daughter-in-law had been alive at
this hour, and your son here at home, more advanced
by the king than by that red-tailed humble-bee I speak of.
2470

Countess. I would I had not known him; it was the death of the
most virtuous gentlewoman that ever nature had
praise for creating. If she had partaken of my
flesh, and cost me the dearest groans of a mother, I
could not have owed her a more rooted love.
2475

Lafeu. 'Twas a good lady, 'twas a good lady: we may pick a
thousand salads ere we light on such another herb.

Clown. Indeed, sir, she was the sweet marjoram of the
salad, or rather, the herb of grace.

Clown. I am a woodland fellow, sir, that always loved a
great fire; and the master I speak of ever keeps a
good fire. But, sure, he is the prince of the
2505world; let his nobility remain in's court. I am for
the house with the narrow gate, which I take to be
too little for pomp to enter: some that humble
themselves may; but the many will be too chill and
tender, and they'll be for the flowery way that
2510leads to the broad gate and the great fire.

Lafeu. Go thy ways, I begin to be aweary of thee; and I
tell thee so before, because I would not fall out
with thee. Go thy ways: let my horses be well
looked to, without any tricks.
2515

Clown. If I put any tricks upon 'em, sir, they shall be
jades' tricks; which are their own right by the law of nature.

Countess. So he is. My lord that's gone made himself much
2520sport out of him: by his authority he remains here,
which he thinks is a patent for his sauciness; and,
indeed, he has no pace, but runs where he will.

Lafeu. I like him well; 'tis not amiss. And I was about to
tell you, since I heard of the good lady's death and
2525that my lord your son was upon his return home, I
moved the king my master to speak in the behalf of
my daughter; which, in the minority of them both,
his majesty, out of a self-gracious remembrance, did
first propose: his highness hath promised me to do
2530it: and, to stop up the displeasure he hath
conceived against your son, there is no fitter
matter. How does your ladyship like it?

Countess. With very much content, my lord; and I wish it
happily effected.
2535

Lafeu. His highness comes post from Marseilles, of as able
body as when he numbered thirty: he will be here
to-morrow, or I am deceived by him that in such
intelligence hath seldom failed.

Countess. It rejoices me, that I hope I shall see him ere I
2540die. I have letters that my son will be here
to-night: I shall beseech your lordship to remain
with me till they meet together.

Lafeu. Madam, I was thinking with what manners I might
safely be admitted.
2545

Lafeu. Lady, of that I have made a bold charter; but I
thank my God it holds yet.

[Re-enter Clown]

Clown. O madam, yonder's my lord your son with a patch of
2550velvet on's face: whether there be a scar under't
or no, the velvet knows; but 'tis a goodly patch of
velvet: his left cheek is a cheek of two pile and a
half, but his right cheek is worn bare.

Lafeu. A scar nobly got, or a noble scar, is a good livery
2555of honour; so belike is that.